BELETWEIN, Somalia Aug 16 (Garowe Online) - At least 13 people were killed Saturday in central Somalia after Islamist insurgents attacked Ethiopian forces stationed in the town of Beletwein, the capital of Hiran region, Radio Garowe reported.

The fighting lasted for five hours straight, as insurgents targeted army positions inside Beletwein and Ethiopian troops responded by bombarding surrounding areas.

Witnesses confirmed that they saw four dead Ethiopian soldiers lying on the ground, but many of the dead bodies were civilians.

At least six people were admitted to a local hospital with various wounds, medical sources said.

Artillery shells hit several homes in Beletwein and local families began fleeing the town for safety.

Ethiopian troops remained in control of the town by mid-afternoon after Islamist rebels withdrew.

Source: Garowe Online